Morning journal and courier., 1887-02-22
OUm HARROR INTERESTS.

The 100000 Appropriation for the
gompietfOn of the East BreakWater
likely 10 be AdOPted-SenatOr Platt's
Eaorls-1he work on the Breakwater
"A quarry Bought I'm BranfOrd-Our
Coast Defenses and New Ravens
Need.
The prospects are quite good for New Ha-
ven's getting the 100000 appropriation for
her breakwater, said Captain Charles Fl.
Townshend last evening. The river and
harbor bill, continued he, was as all know
cut down, in fact cut all to pieces by the
southern and western members of the House
for some purpose or spite of their own.
Then New Ravens committee went on to
Washington to appeal for New Ravens inter
est and through the efforts of Senator Platt
the amount for our breakwater was increased
from the paltry sum to which it had been
cut down to 100000. ALI credit to Senator
Platt l have just received from him a copy
of the bill as amended, allowing New Haven
800, 900 for the breakwater. His efforts in
our city's behalf are worthy of great praise
and it is with great pleasure that I speak of
it.
How about the work on the breakwater at
present? The work is now progressing on
the strength of the $75, 900 appropriated last
year. The contractor, New York gentle
man, has thus far expended only about one
fifth of the SIS, 900. Vessels are now engaged
in bringing stone from New York for the
breakwater. The contractor did not be-
gin the work until the winter
had we'll begun and he will finish
it by about the 1st of May. If the New York
stone used is satisfactory to the governments
he will continue to use it; if not ne will use
Branford stone of the same kind as was used
before by Mr.. Beattie, the former contractor
the new contractor having purchased a quar-
ry of stone for the purpose in Branford. By
the exertions of Senator Platt the amended
bill gives New Haven 500, 1000 for its break
water and So, 900 each for the Housatonic
river and Milford harbor improvements, as
you will see by the copy of the bill before
me.
Will the money now being expended and
the 500, 600 to come all be required On the
east breakwater?
1t will, and with these sums the
east breakwater will be about finished
Already the beneficial effects of the
east breakwater are seen in the scour which
it creates, which deepens the water on the
eastern sluiceway. The general effect of
both breakwaters in this direction will be
to deepen the main channel and also to create
channel along the break waters by the &C.
ton of the tides. Thus, when done, the
breakers will create a fine harbor for the
Heet OF vessels which seek this port as a port
of refuge in storms, and this will relieve the
main channel and keep it clear of vessels.
Another subject of which / would speak:
Senator Hawley has been requested and will
use his best endeavors in behalf of New Ha-
vens having some proper defenses in case of
a war. He has been requested to make an
effort with regard to establishing a steel fort
on the east breskwater at Southwest ledge
for our eitys protection against enemy's
ironclad feet. Such fort would keep an
enemy's guns outside of the range of the city
and prevent our city from being laid under
contribution.
How much would such fort cost
That is estimated at from one million
to two millions of dollars. The location for
such fort on tue point mention ed would
be fIst-elass, solid granite rock foundation
and covering an area of about four acres.
Such a fort, as needed, would be about the
size of Fort Castle William on Governors
Island, similar to the one near the en-
trance to Cronstadt in the Baltic. 1t is pro-
posed that the fort be something like the
Bessemer steel fort with armor plates of
forty inches thickness. It should be tur
reted fort and revolving like the monitor
turrets. Such a fort would be a safe protec-
ton for our torpedoes, as without it our tor
pedoes could be easily dredged for and taken
up by foreign foe. Under cover of such a
fort rams of the Ross Winans description
and harbor batteries could operate against an
enemy's vessel with safety and success, and
they could be perfectly protected under the
lee of our breakwaters.